The Walt Disney Company announced today that it has entered into a deal to acquire Lucasfilm, which is currently wholly owned by founder, chairman and Star Wars Mastermind George Lucas, for a little more than $4 billion. Approximately half of the purchase price will be paid in cash, while the balance will be covered in the form of roughly 40 million shares in the company. Along with Lucasfilm, Disney will also take over Industrial Light and Magic, Skywalker Sound and gaming division LucasArts.

"For the past 35 years, one of my greatest pleasures has been to see Star Wars passed from one generation to the next," Lucas said. "It's now time for me to pass Star Wars on to a new generation of filmmakers. I've always believed that Star Wars could live beyond me, and I thought it was important to set up the transition during my lifetime."

Lucasfilm Co-Chair Kathleen Kennedy will take over as President, reporting directly to Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn, and will also become Brand Manager of Star Wars, working with Disney to "build, further integrate, and maximize the value of this global franchise." She will serve as executive producer on new Star Wars films, with Lucas taking on the role of creative consultant. Speaking of new Star Wars films, Disney also confirmed that Star Wars Episode 7 is in the works and expected to be ready for release in 2015, and that more films will be developed and released "well into the future."

Indeed, after years of saying that Lucas should let go of Star Wars, it's hard to fully comprehend now that it's actually happened.

As for Episode 7, that will be interesting. Given that Disney in the last twenty years have brought us Pixar and Marvel movies I'm cautiously optimistic about it. As long as I can get the IV-VI theatrical versions in HD it doesn't matter anyway, I'm set.

#Edit, turned on the stereo, first song: Surprise Surprise - Billy Talent. Even the speakers are in on it...

Now, more seriously. Why? Why Episode 7? What is the point? As much as people tend to hate the prequels, the saga as it currently stands tells one consistent story: the rise, fall and redemption of Anakin Skywalker. The story is done, there's no need for more films. What would be gained by adding to that?

Oh wait, I forgot. Money. As if The Avengers didn't earn Disney enough.

I, I.... I just don't know, what the hell just happened?First Marvel, now LUCASARTS? I'd bet they'll implement "Han shot Greedo with a water gun that tickled him to death" in the next format iteration.Also, episode VII? It's not like they can just hire Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford to... wait a second, harrison ford reprising his role as Han Solo might not be such a bad idea, unless they of course make it into the Star Wars equivalent of Indy Jones and the kingdom of the crystal skull.

But where do they really go from there? Will Episode VII be a prequel (again), just to further fuck up the chronology of the series, will they go into new territories in a far distant future, a sort of reverse-kotor? Or will they try their luck on the already established Thrawn or Yuuzhan Vong storylines? Or do they simply make a reunion episode with all the old actors? So many questions, and so little time left until 2015. It feels too early for a new entry in the Star Wars film universe.

I'm not surprised. Lucas and Disney have been working together more and more with the Star Tours and Indiana Jones rides at the parks, as well as various shows and events. If Lucas was going to sell to anyone, Disney would be a no-brainer for the pick.

I can't help but wonder if this is a harbinger of things to come, though. Much like Steve Jobs stepping down at Apple.

Ne1butme:Well, Disney did bring back the Muppets in spectacular fashion. Maybe SW will work the same.

Holy shit!! What does Patrick Stewart playing John Oliver think about this?

Awesome avatar.....

Me envy

Two families, both alike in dignity. One, the Minions of Lucas, t'otherScions of Disney, Locked In Business'sWarm Embrace. Ooo Fair Lucas, Oft Drivenmad by images of Gungans. And Fair Disney, Flush with Assembled Currency, but unbowed.

Like Henry at Agincourt, From this Daytil the ending of the world, Thy few,THY HAPPY FEW. THY BAND OF BROTHERS!

Ne1butme:Well, Disney did bring back the Muppets in spectacular fashion. Maybe SW will work the same.

Holy shit!! What does Patrick Stewart playing John Oliver think about this?

Awesome avatar.....

Me envy

Two families, both alike in dignity. One, the Minions of Lucas, t'otherScions of Disney, Locked In Business'sWarm Embrace. Ooo Fair Lucas, Oft Drivenmad by images of Gungans. And Fair Disney, Flush with Assembled Currency, but unbowed.

Like Henry at Agincourt, From this Daytil the ending of the world, Thy few,THY HAPPY FEW. THY BAND OF BROTHERS!

Damn! You really ARE Patrick Stewart. Now record that and put it on youtube. It will go viral, guarantee!

I was already worried about Disney having too much power before that. Now I'm afraid.

Other than that, more Star Wars movies are a good thing, people need to stop treating it is as some sort of sacred canon, and admit that it is a part of pop-culture, and as such, it will have direction shifts, changes, reboots, and a long history ahead of it.

Over at Disneyland there is a section of Tommorowland dedicated to Star Wars. A (awesome) ride, gift shop, and a stage show in which people dressed up as jedi masters and Darth Vader teach little kids how to be jedi.

I'd figure it was only a matter of time before Disney finally acquired Star Wars as it's own.

And frankly I'm okay with this. From what I've seen and heard, George Lucas has kinda screwed up the franchise with his weird edits to the original films, among other things. (I'm okay with the prequels for the most part) So perhaps by giving the series to someone else, someone could take Star Wars into a new, possibly better direction. At least that's how I see things anyway.